Avani Lekhara, a champion from the Tokyo Paralympics, delivered a powerhouse performance at the Para Shooting World Cup in Chateauroux, France. She took home the gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 category, scoring an impressive 250.6—a new world record that beat her own prior best of 249.6. Beyond the medal, this win guarantees her a place at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The achievement is even more remarkable considering that, just before the event, the 20-year-old almost couldn't compete because of visa hurdles.
Lekhara controlled the competition from the very first shot, leaving little room for her opponents. Poland's Emilia Babska finished second with 247.6, while Anna Normann of Sweden secured third place with 225.6. The SH1 class is designed for rifle athletes who have impairments affecting their lower limbs. Because the Para Shooting World Cup (running June 4-13 in France) offers essential quota places for the upcoming Paris Paralympics, the stakes for every competitor were incredibly high.
The world's second-ranked 10m Air Rifle shooter reached the pinnacle of the podium only three days after a visa crisis nearly derailed her trip; initially, her coach and support staff were denied entry into France. Fortunately, the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) stepped in to resolve the situation. Once the visas were granted, Lekhara took to social media to express her relief and gratitude toward the SAI for their quick intervention.
Following her victory, Lekhara took to Twitter to share her joy, stating how proud she was to win gold in the R2 10M Air Rifle SH1 event with a world-record score. She also highlighted that she secured India's first official quota for Paris 2024. This being her first major international appearance since the Tokyo Games, the shooter noted that she felt confident and ready for the challenge, ending her post by thanking her supporters.
Avani's dominant performance and dedication earned her high praise from several prominent figures, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
Lekhara's success is part of a larger legacy; back in August 2021, she won gold in the SH1 10m air rifle standing event at the Tokyo Paralympics. She also secured a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions SH1, making history as the first Indian woman to ever earn multiple medals at a single Paralympic Games.